Cybersafety & Technology

Making sure that young people and children engage in safe online practices and are able to identify harmful activities while browsing the internet is important.

We've put together a list of great resources that parents and carers can draw from this Safer Internet Day to spark conversations about online safety with their children: 

eSafety Commissioner 

• Make sure to check out eSafety's wide variety of resources for Parents, Young People and Hard to Have Conversations. These and many more resources are also available on the Cybersafety & Technology section of the Tools and Tips page on the Hub. 
• If you have a child who is living with disability, it is important to know online safety that encompasses unique challenges that they may face to ensure your conversation is relevant and accurate. The Australian government in partnership with the eSafety Commission has put together a free online course that can be completed by both parents and carers and young people living with a disability. Get started here. 
• For First Nations families, parents and carers, eSafety has put together resources that are specific to the online experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The following are some great resources to get started talking about online safety: 
  • Staying Safe: free and easy-to-use Your Online Journey app and step-by-step instructions and videos to help First Nations families get online and stay safe. 
  • Keeping safe: learn how to keep your family safe and report tech abuse. 
  • Dealing with hate: know how to deal with negativity online and protect yourself. 

The Parent & Carer Hub 

• Read up on what cyberbullying is, its effects and what to do if your child finds themselves in such a situation. 
• Head on over to the Hub's Cybersafety & Technology Community where we've shared a range of resources in our community library and they also appear on our Hub Library
• In the community you can chat with other parents and carers about their experience with the internet. 
• You can also find resources to assist your children with the mental health impacts of social media in our Hub Library

The NSW Department of Education 

• Spend time going through Cybermarvel resources for parents and carers - they have compiled an extensive list of videos, articles, research reports, self-help guides and picture books to help you navigate online safety with your children.
• For younger children (5-7 years), Cybermarvel's video resources Cyber playtime are a good way of introducing age-appropriate discussions around online safety and what to look out for. 

Other Online Resources 

• Attend webinars or workshop where possible to broaden your own understanding of online safety. By signing up to the P&C Federation's Parent and Carer Hub you will be the first to learn about new parent webinars
• A great way to start conversations is by watching videos together that relate to the topic you'd like to discuss. ABC's TV series Alva's World (suitable for ages 5-8 years) and Mikki vs the World (suitable for pre-teens and teens) explore relevant scenarios relating to the internet and other important issues. 
• Learn about the benefits and dangers of ChatGPT and other AI so you can adequately prepare your children as AI becomes more popular in learning, gaming and social media. Common Sense Media is a great place to start learning, with our recommendation that you start with articles Guide to ChatGPT for Parents and Caregivers and Helping Kids Navigate the World of Artificial Intelligence. 

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